Thanks to Will for working hard on Christmas Day for this great Boxing Day 2017 – Preview and Tips. Enjoy! For a regular dose of Will’s Wisdomjoin us for FREE.

Happy Christmas and enjoy your sport! JP

Hopefully your Christmas was good, filled with fun and family and food, but now the real joy of the Festive season begins. Today marks the beginning of a week full of the best jumping action many will see outside of the Spring, with two days of racing at Kempton and four at Leopardstown to get stuck into, along with such highlights like The Challow Hurdle before New Year’s Day brings in 2018 with quality action across the country. But let’s get stuck into today.

Kempton

12.45 – 32Red Casino Novices’ Hurdle (Class 2) (4yo+): A strong renewal as ever. If The Cap Fits was a fine fourth in the Aintree bumper, form that looks good now, and he hasn’t put a foot wrong otherwise, with his impressive defeat of Solomon Grey at Bangor – a next time out winner who also runs here – arguably the best hurdling form. That was his first time on soft ground and he should be OK here and take a decent amount of beating. He will need to be at the top of his game if he’s to get the better of Diese Des Bieffes, a ready winner of both hurdles starts to date at Fontwell and Taunton from the red hot yard of Nicky Henderson, a frequent winner of this race. He gets 3lbs from the pick and that should make for a close race.

Simply The Betts gets 8lbs from If The Cap Fits and 5lbs from Diese Des Bieffes, which bright him right into the equation, and his third to Lostintranslation was an excellent debut effort for all he was comprehensively outgunned that day.

Irish Prospect bumped into a very good horse in the shape of Kalashnikov at Doncaster and didn’t lose any shame in being brushed aside there, but he will need to step up significantly on that to be involved here. The rest would be likely to struggle on the basis of form

1.25 – 32Red.com Chase (A Novices’ Limited Handicap) (Class 3) (4yo+ 0-140): Hell’s Kitchen unseated early at Newbury but he made a very useful chasing debut when chasing home the useful River Wylde at Uttoxeter and he looked a better chaser than hurdler then. He’s got a fair mark on that basis and also has soft ground form, so should hold pretty strong claims despite the strong opposition of last time out winners Mistaker Whitaker, Reigning Supreme, and Touch Kick, who looks a strong each/way option.

Advice: 1 pt win Hell’s Kitchen (7/2 general)

1.55 – 32Red Kauto Star Novices’ Chase (In Memory Of Nigel Clark) (Grade 1): A competitive renewal and a decent betting heat with very little separating a number of these. Mia’s Storm was really impressive in the Bud Booth Mares’ Chase at Market Rasen and has to be respected here, but a decent turnout makes this a steep step in class and she’s likely to be hassled off the front end too. Any ore rain would also be a significant hinderance to her chances too, and at the time of writing – just before Midday on Christmas Eve – there is more yet to come.

Nearly every other contender in this race has form that ties in with Black Corton, who has racked up five straight wins before going down by 3/4 of a length in the John Francome Novices’ Chase. He was giving 3lbs there, so the two ought to be tightly matched once again. It is a slight worry that Black Corton has been on the go so long – he’s had six races since the summer and was making a quick reappearance at Newbury too – and taking Elegant Escape’s previous best form, when trashed 13 lengths by Ballyoptic, he didn’t run to the same form that he’d shown when beating Ballyoptic and West Approach at Cheltenham.

Fountains Escape was upsides three out in the John Francome at Newbury when he took a fall, but its unlikely we’d seen the best of him there and it’s not hard to be impressed by his fine chasing debut, when he put 11 lengths between him and Stowaway Magic between the last two fences at Southwell. A wide margin winner of the Gaskells Handicap Hurdle at Aintree last year, he had jumped well before coming down at Newbury and could have a lot more improvement left here than some others, so is perhaps worth chancing again around a track that should suit with rain no worry.

Ballyoptic deeply impressive chasing debut suggested he could be a better chaser than hurdler, but he appeared to be beaten fair and square when four lengths behind Black Corton at Cheltenham. He has had less chasing though, and if jumping better can get closer. West Approach ahs won two novice chases in good style but been disappointing on either side.

It’s impossible to tell whether Some Invitation would have won his small field novice chase on debut, but Very First Time has since come out and won twice since, the last time quite impressively, so he could go well.

Unibet Christmas Hurdle (Grade 1) (2.30): Buveur D’Air is the most talented hurdler in Britain and in the opinion of this page, in training, and hopefully he should make it 2/2 without much fuss here. The New One can follow him home as a forecast option and that might be worth backing strongly whilst Old Guard, Chesterfield, and Mohaayed will struggle here.

3.40 – 32Red Download The App Handicap Hurdle (Class 3) (3yo+ 0-140): A very difficult race to end a quality card. Midnight Maestro ought to enjoy this step up in trip but must improve his jumping if he’s to take a race this competitive and because of that he is passed over. There’s potential for a lot of pace to be on here with Kildisart and Dashing Oscar having three front running wins between them. Of the two Kildisart looks to be the best handicapped by a good way based on his win in an Ascot novice hurdle, having run into the very smart Count Meribel, now rated 141, the time before.

Frontrunning also helped Connetable produced a much improved effort when he was a close second at Sandown over 2m7f and Take To Heart also won twice from the front before sulking when held up in rear, so it’s not a surprise to suggest that this will be strongly run.

Jaleo ran a pretty decent race in some exalted company on his return at Newbury when making decent ground from the back, and his one win last term came from last at Lingfield, when he did well to win considering the rough passage that he had through the race, especially after the last. He ought to have plenty of pace to run at here and is only 2lbs higher than his last winning mark here which doesn’t leave him too badly handicapper. Alex Ferguson’s 7lbs is always a help and if there is a pace burnout, then he could profit at 20/1.

Advice: 1 pt each/way Jaleo (20/1 general)

Leopardstown

This meeting, one of the highlights of the year, was set to be run on a decent surface but a torrent of rain has apparently left the ground closer to heavy; One would be wise to punt with that in mind.

12.15 – Horse & Jockey Hotel Maiden Hurdle (4yo): A very exciting start to one of the highlights of the year as we see the reappearance of Debuchet, who’s seasonal reappearance and hurdling bow has been delayed following a minor wind operation that he had to undergo through the Autumn. With that in mind, he ought to improve from this outing, but he remains one of the most exciting prospects yet to jump a hurdle and he makes a great deal of appeal for a big run in either the Supreme or the Ballymore Hurdle. The form of the Champion Bumper has been franked again and again, with third Clamtakinforgan and fourth Next Destination now Grade 2 winners, and Debuchet managed to outgun those when only a four year old before ending his season in victory when carrying a penalty in a Listed bumper. He could go to the Ballymore and is worth backing as insurance, but if he can make it to Cheltenham fit and well he’s a leading Supreme contender. He will be given a good workout today by Antey, who knuckled down well to win the Prix Capitaine Gefflot at Les Sables-d’Olonne on his flat debut, before then finishing last of three in a conditions race on softer ground. Market support will tell a lot but expect him to go well and so should Manamite and Cask Mate, who dead heated for second at Cork last time out. Wide margin bumper winner Los Alamos, who disappointed under a penalty last time, is an interesting hurdling recruit, and outside of those Play The Game, Sidetracked, Leave Your Mark and Desire De Joie could also play a hand.

12.45 Thorntons Recycling Maiden Hurdle: A difficult and well contested maiden hurdle. Quick Grabhim didn’t quite live upto his bumper win last year, but he appeared to have improved for the switch to Willie Mullins when a good second on his debut behind Mind’s Eye, who had previously run into Samcro. A subsequent winner has emerged since and he should go well here although this is tougher. Paloma Blue was second in the Punchestown Champion Bumper, and lost little on his debut when one of a few to get trashed by Next Destination on his hurdling debut, before he was beaten just a head by Spades Are Trumps at Punchestown. That defeat came at 4/11 but the winner’s first run over hurdles was a decent effort behind Grade 1 second Early Doors and the third has since won by five lengths going away. If he runs to that level he ought to be seriously involved.

Impact Factor has run into two smart horse sin the shape of Poli Roi and Getabird so far, and ought to be involved, along with Canadrier, a 2m2f bumper winner who was third to Jett when last seen. First Figaro should be able to pay his way over hurdles, especially if the ground is decent. Watch out too for three time flat winner Tara River, who was second to a smart mare on his debut.

1.15 – Knight Frank Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 2) (3yo): Unless Farclas is something out of the ordinary then this ought to be straightforward for Espoir D’Allen as he continues his journey to the Triumph. The turn of foot he showed to beat Mitchouka at Fairyhouse was very taking and he looks to be right up with the best juveniles that Ireland has to offer. It remains to be seen what happens in terms of the gallop, but the faster they go the better he should be in theory.

1.50 – Cardinal Capital Handicap Hurdle (4yo+ 80-116): The Thurles maiden hurdle that Highandmighjty won was a weak contest, but few here have shown that much winning form and he’s been fairly treated by the handicapper on that basis, so isn’t the worst each/way show in the world at 9/1 right now. An outsider to consider might well be Sir Carno, a 4yo tried in cheekpieces for his handicap debut with Gordon Elliott. Shock Fairyhouse winner Golden Jewel has just gotten in here but he needed a 9lbs rise to do so which means he’s going to have to improve a good deal although he’s not found the strongest handicap hurdle in which to do so.

2.15 – Racing Post Novice Chase (Grade 1) (4yo+): Separating Footpad and Death Duty on ratings is difficult but the former definitely has more proven speed than the latter and the stronger form to his name over hurdles courtesy of his Champion Hurdle form. He made an exceptional chasing debut over fences at Navan when he smashed the decent yardstick Brelade by an easy 15 lengths in a showing so strong it has even had his trainer – a prodigious force in the Arkle of recent years – excited to see him again, and it’s highly likely there’s more in the locker.

He will need to be on his A-Game if he’s to prevail here, but he has all the makings of a star chaser and is a strong fancy to take this on his way to the Arkle.

Death Duty’s win in the Buck House Novice Chase shows he’s got a handy amount of speed – and it might not be a surprise that he didn’t show his best in the Albert Bartlett last year. However, he is going down two furlongs further in a small field race here and probably facing his most talented opponent since his defeat at Punchestown in the Spring.

Avenir D’Une Vie could front run to try and inject pace into the race, and he was given a decent chance to get off the mark last time which he did when beating the useful Saturnas. He could struggle upped significantly in class here.

Any Second Now has bumped into two high class chasers on his first two starts over fences and might enjoy this drop down in trip but he’s got the same issue once again. He should win races in time and Jett, whilst a useful chaser, might be flying too high here.

2.55 – ‘Bet Through The Racing Post App’ Handicap Chase (4yo+): Dysios is more exposed than good deal of these but his course record, especially in this race, entitles him to serious respect and he’s worth forgiving for having bombed last time. When prepared and ready for this race last year he finished a fine second to Lake Takapuna (who should be respected coming back to the same conditions that saw him take the race last year) with Ball D’Arc and Just Get Cracking behind, and the year before he actually won off a mark just 3lbs lower. His effort last time has to be forgiven but just two starts ago he won a handicap hurdle at Gowran going away by 10 lengths and is worth chancing. Landofhopeandglory has taken really well to chasing, winning two of his four starts and going really well when falling in a Grade 3 novice chase, and his mark of 133 looks very generous indeed. He and the last time out winner Blast Of Koeman ought to take all the beating from the top of the market.

3.35 – Lep Inn INH Flat Race (4yo): Blackrow, a taking winner of his point maiden at Maisemore Park, is hotly fancied to get off the mark at the first time of asking although he will have to be smart to justify odds of 6/5 against The Holy One, who ran into the very smart Rapid Escape on his debut having previously won his sole point. The pair are likely to take a lot of beating although Boot Camp should step forward from his debut for the Gordon Elliot yard at Thurles recently. This surface is going to be softer than he’s encountered before by some way though. He was sixth in a valuable bumper at the Punchestown Festival when behind Gallant Jon Joe, who outran his odds in fine fashion to be fourth there; Reason Street was seventh. The well bred Ballyneety, a Milan gelding out of Riverside Theatre’s half sister, is respected too.

Advice: 1 pt win The Holy One (10/3 general)

Limerick

1.05 Limerick: Signsplus Hurdle – This is a fascinating clash with a small but very select and unexposed field taking on Ex Patriot. He sets the standard and is a solid benchmark but he faces some really interesting rivals who might be worth putting an eye on in future assignments. Sandsend, a four-length winner on his one and only start at Compiegne, is current favourite.

Gordon Elliott’s Destin D’Ajonc comes over in much the same vein, having taken the Prix Pride Of Kildare at Auteuil by 10 lengths before switching stables and ownership, and just like with the favourite, the market ought to tell a great deal here.

Perhaps overpriced in comparison to the front trio in the market is Discorama, who went off 66/1 for his maiden hurdle at Punchestown despite a promising bumper debut, and belied those odds when he came to catch no other than previous Grade 1 bumper winner Blow By Blow, having been fourth coming round the turn before finding relentlessly for pressure to eventually come and catch the hot favourite as his closest pursers wilted. He jumped well under pressure that day and the form has been underlined a bit by the second beating the firth in a maiden hurdle next time. These extra two furlongs shouldn’t be a problem for him and it’s a surprise to see him as big as 12/1 with only the very deep ground a worry. He is worth chancing each/way.

Orion D’aubrelle has had only one run for Willie Mullins, when he didn’t jump well enough to get involved in a Grade 2 juvenile hurdle, and it’s interesting that Alexis Porier is over to ride – and that he’s pitched in at the deep end once again. It’s hard to fancy Indian Monsoon.

2.10 Limerick: McMahons Builders Providers – New Online Store Just Launched Novice Chase (Grade 2) – The market has this Grade 2 as a match between the highly promising Al Boum Photo and the useful and proven novice chaser Tombstone, and it’s not hard to see why given they’re the most talented in the field. Neither is a tempting bet though, given that Al Boum Photo is 4/6 on his second chasing start, but he has infinitely more promise than any of his rivals here and the 3lbs he receives from Tombstone is also very handy. Abre De Vie and Dunikos both probably want to go further even on this surface whilst Tout Es Permis has been beaten heavily in graded company the last twice.

Wincanton

1.30 Wincanton: Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle (Series Qualifier) (Class 2) (4yo+) – A traditional highlight of Wincanton’s Boxing Day meeting and fiendishly difficult as ever. Bastien was taking in victory last time at Towcester but the handicapper has been severe in upping him 10lbs for that and Kevin Dowling’s claim is now 3lbs lower than it was then.

Poker Play’s fifth at Cheltenham was a promising effort that suggested he was settling into British life better after a light campaign last season whilst Persian Delight made a good reappearance too at Exeter, being a previous C&D winner.

Wait For Me has been chasing for a good while but the form of his last hurdling run has been franked plenty since and if he jumps well he ought to go nicely here. Kansas City Chief’s Irish chasing form makes him look well handicapped here and his debut for Neil Mulholland was taking.

The one to really watch in the market is Protek Des Flos. Once a red hot juvenile hurdling prospect, he did not take well to chasing and whilst he struggled in two handicap hurdles, and he’s now dropped to a mark of 132 with Ned Curtis taking 5lbs further off. He’s got soft ground form to boot and is worth looking at closely in the morning markets.

Wetherby

2.10 Wetherby: 188Bet Rowland Meyrick Handicap Chase (Grade 3) (Class 1) (4yo+) – A tight renewal here where Wakanda might have the best form, regardless of how well handicapper he is. It’s hard not to think that he was second in a better renewal last year with Definitely Red was a guide a margin winner and Blaklion was well behind in third, and he improved more than 10 lengths off his Rhehseal Chase effort last year. This year’s renewal looked a strong contest and if he does the same he can take the beating.

This must have been the target in waiting for Aloomooo for a good few months and following two decent runs in novice hurdles, he ought to be able to show the same sort of form that saw him rack up a handicap chase hat-trick between October and November of 2015. He should go very well along with Get On The Yager, a wide margin winner at Fontwell who has a low amount of miles on the clock. His trainer and jockey, Dan and Sharry Skelton, can’t stop winning at the moment so watch the market closely once again. Delusionofgrandeur is a wide margin of winner at Catterick last month and looks open to further improvement in a tight contest.

Huntingdon

2.25 Huntingdon: Henrietta Knight Mares’ Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race (Listed Race) (Class 1) (4-6yo): A fascinating event away from the ITV cameras that should shine a bit more light on the Mares’ bumper scene. Outofthisworld apparently took connections by shock when trashing her field in a Market Rasen bumper by 10 lengths, and is favourite here based on that. This is some step up in class here but her position is understandable. The form yardstick is Grageelagh Girl, who can go close in her own right, having finished second in another Mares Listed at Cheltenham when last seen. The ground there was a lot slower than it’s set to be today, and also worse than her fine second to Posh Trish, a winner of that race, at Aintree before. She could easily improve for a sounder surface.

Point winner Dullahow Gesture moved hands for £100,000 after a successful rules debut at Tipperary for Damien Murphy, the form of which seems very solid’ The second was a next time out winner by six lengths and the fourth has since won as well. That win also come on good ground and it’s hard not to be taken by the way that she moved through the field before showing a good attitude to get over the line. She can go well today, and looks the stable first string over Everlane, who now has a tongue-tie despite making a taking impression when scoring on her debut at Southwell.

The form of Strike The Pose’s surprise Kelso win has been franked by others too, and she needs respect, as does Diamond Gait, who showed such a gritty attitude to outgun 17 rivals from the front in a Warwick bumper on her debut, although the form’s been let down since. Kolci has actually beaten males, the only horse to do so, but even then her Fakenham form needs serious improving on.

Oborne Lady was fancied to do better than third on her Lingfield debut fist time out but the penny dropped too late before she took a promising. She will need to have matured a great deal in the meantime to get involved here, but cannot be totally ruled out.

We look to be in for an exciting renewal of this great race. The pace looks sure to prove generous placing the emphasis firmly on stamina. If the ground is as given by the clerk of the course, there should be no significant advantage or importantly, disadvantage, to any of the runners. Al Ferof returned to action at Huntingdon for his new trainer. Once again he showed his best when fresh. Interesting he recorded an identical RPR to that achieved on seasonal reappearances in 2014 and 2012. Al Ferof has finished third twice in the race. On both occasions he did not convince as one that saw out the trip. Ballynagour is useful at best. However, as with his stable in general, his form has been disappointing this season. Cue Card returned to action, following a corrective surgery on his breathing, a different animal. Both his RPR and FSF are career high figures. Had he been able to reproduce those figures in 2014 and 2013 he would, on paper, have won both renewals. Whilst it may sound strange, I wonder if he sees out a truly run race over three miles. More than a few pundits suggest Kempton Park is an easy three-mile track. However, standard times tend to suggest otherwise. The standard time for three-miles here is 5:58:00. The approximate time for Ascot is 5:45:00 while Newbury is 5:52:00. Neither could be described as “Easy” tracks and yet they record faster standard times. My theory is the fences here offer more of a test in jumping, hence the difference. Despite easy wins at Wetherby and Haydock Park, Cue Card may be found out for stamina in the closing stages. Don Cossack has a steadily improving profile. At Aintree and Punchestown, he proved himself versatile in Grade One races, both at this trip and a half-mile shorter. At the latter track, he thumped Djakadam by seven lengths. The Gold Cup runner-up returned an RPR just 2lb below that of his Cheltenham figure. This season, that has been reinforced with two facile wins in October and November. Don Cossack will be ridden off the pace waiting for others to wilt under what should be a demanding pace. At an age when he should produce the best form of his career, it is my belief he will take all the beating. Irish Cavalier needs to prove both stamina and the ability to get involved at the business end. Silviniaco Conti ran around 7lb below his best in the Betfair Chase. Whilst “Valid” excuses have been offered, it is debatable whether he would have beaten Cue Card, even if raising his game by 7lb. Sure to be spot-on this time round, one wonders if the toll of both victory and defeat in battles at the highest grade has, perhaps, finally told on him. Smad Place raised his RPR and FSF to a new level in the Hennessy Gold Cup. He was in control a long way from home jumping his rivals into the ground. Unlikely to have such an easy time here, he now faces Grade One performers and not handicappers. Smad Place has run ten times in Grade One races through his career. Thus far, he has placed second twice and third three times. That suggests he might be found out again. Valseur Lido is a consistent sort. However, he was put firmly in place (Though not given a hard time in the final quarter-mile) by stablechum Djakadam on his seasonal reappearance. Whilst he stayed three-miles at Punchestown in late April, it is not hard to suggest a distance around the Ryanair trip is perhaps, his optimum trip. The brilliant Vautour is another that needs to prove his staying power. In addition, his profile indicates he is at his very best when Cheltenham comes round. His three wins on right-handed tracks have been workmanlike, opposed to the brilliance shown elsewhere. His *Dosage figure is far from ideal. Vautour’s sire has Sir Des Champs and Quevega on his C.V, though the majority of his highest earners stayed up to two and three-quarter miles. His dam stayed two and a half-miles. This is the acid test and I have my doubts over the trip in a truly run race.

*Dosage displays statistical figures used to assess stamina in a horse’s pedigree.

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At the top of the wish list for all National Hunt Racing fans this Christmas is to find the winner of the King George VI Chase at Kempton. This year’s race, once again sponsored by William Hill, promises to be even more mouth-watering than the previous days Christmas dinner and it is the jewel in the crown of the William Hill Winter Festival at Kempton. For more information on the history of this great race – What is the King George VI Chase? Last year’s renewal delivered an impressive performance from Silviniaco Conti who dictated a strong pace and jumped his rivals in submission. He never looked in any danger in the closing stages and his tactics had clearly blunted the potential turn of foot of good horses such as Cue Card and Champagne Fever. It was a superb piece of jockeyship from Noel Fehily and a fantastic performance from the horse himself to defend his crown and land his second King George. Silviniaco Conti went on to disappoint in the Gold Cup at the Cheltenham Festival and he was no match for Cue Card in the Betfair Chase on his last outing. However, he cannot be written off having recorded back to back victories in the race and this will have been his main target. He will be absolutely spot-on come Boxing Day and make no mistake that this race is Silviniaco Conti’s Gold Cup. He is still only 9 and has not become a bad horse overnight. I can’t help but feel that he is being overlooked slightly in the betting for this race. The big three players for the race at present are Don Cossack, Vautour and Cue Card. Don Cossack confirmed himself as a chaser of the highest order last season when landing multiple Grade One’s including the Punchestown Gold Cup and the Melling Chase at Aintree. He has returned this season in rude health by blowing away his rivals at Punchestown and Down Royal. His trainer Gordon Elliot has always spoken highly of him and he looks to be getting better with every run and is a worthy favourite for this, given his official rating of 180. In any ordinary renewal of this race he would go off a fairly short price and the sharp track should also place to his strengths at this trip. However, this is no ordinary renewal. If all of the big players that have been entered turn up on Boxing Day, it promises to be an incredible race, the likes of which jump racing fans have not seen for many years. Willie Mullins Vautour will no doubt be very well supported. He is the apple of Willie’s eye and was unbelievably impressive when winning the JLT Novices Chase at last year’s Cheltenham Festival. A previous winner of the Supreme Novices Hurdle, Vautour clearly has plenty of speed and so the sharp track should play to his strengths. However, some concerns have been raised about his tendency to jump out to the left, a trait which he displayed when narrowly beating Ptit Zig at Ascot on his reappearance, despite being in receipt of 5lbs. That form has also taken a slight knock with Ptit Zig having been beaten in the Peterborough Chase. There is little doubt though that he would have been undercooked for his seasonal re-appearance and he is likely to come on a great deal for that run, particularly as he was made to work for the victory. He will be much fitter on Boxing Day but given the quality of the opposition he faces, his tendency to jump out to the left and his disappointing performance on Boxing Day last year at Leopardstown, he is too short in the betting for this year’s King George and I feel that he will be more in his element in the spring at the Cheltenham Festival. The greatest Christmas present for all National Hunt Racing fans would be to see last year’s Gold Cup hero Coneygree take his chance in the race. He needs to be supplemented for the race following an error which led to him not being entered. There are some doubts hanging over his well-being as he has had a slight foot injury and having been taken out of the Hennessy following an unsatisfactory schooling session. However, in the absence of any further negative reports, one would have to presume that he has come back to himself and if he has then I would strongly urge connections to let him take his chance in the race. Coneygree was a facile winner of last year’s Kauto Star Novices Chase run over the same course and distance as The King George and on the same day. In blowing away his rivals Coneygree recorded a time that was just 1.7 seconds slower that that recorded by Silviniaco Conti. That was remarkable really given that the King George was ridden at a strong pace with a field of 10 high class and mostly Grade One winning chasers. Coneygree on the other hand had just six rivals which weren’t even in the same league as him on the day; two fell and one unseated. Coneygree put their jumping to the test from flag fall and cruised home in his own time and so to record a time very close to that recorded in the King George is testament to his ability. He then went on to deploy the same tactics in the Gold Cup at Cheltenham, with the same result. That race has worked out unbelievably well and if Coneygree turns up here then his rivals are going to find out what he is all about. I firmly believe that should he take his chance in the race he will do to his rivals what Silviniaco Conti did in last year’s race, but to even more devastating effect and against an even stronger field. So let us hope that he is sound and well and that we’ll be set up for a truly fantastic race on Boxing Day!

I readily admit this has me baffled. Will Silviniaco Conti prove as effective on ground underhoof? Will Dynaste improve from his Haydock Park run, and does he truly stay three-miles? Can Menorah keep up his refound form and zest for racing. Will Al Ferof, Wishfull Thinking, Wonderful Charm, and Johns Spirit see out the trip? Can Cue Card bounce back to 2013 form? Will Double Ross’s jumping and stamina hold-up? Can Champagne Fever, (a) show his best form in December (0-3) and (b) harness his stamina given his natural exuberance and style of racing. In the Betfair Chase, Silviniaco Conti jumped and travelled like a dream in first time cheek-pieces. A repeat of that run would, I feel, be good enough to land the prize. The question is whether he can reproduce it on this better ground. Menorah will enjoy the ground. He has a decent record round here and is entitled to be thereabouts when it counts. Those I mentioned with stamina doubts, have for me, exactly that. Cue Card jumped poorly down the back straight at Haydock Park. He looked to my eyes, still in need of the race. Several well-respected judges noted he blew an awful lot after the race, suggesting that was indeed the case. Champagne Fever is an enigma. At his best, he has the ability to win the race. On paper, there is nothing to suggest he will not stay three-miles and further. The unknown, is his ability to settle into a rhythm that enables his stamina to see out the trip. The hope would be that the pace put to the race enables Mr Walsh to settle and conserve resources. He has won round right-handed and flat tracks. A good friend reminded me that One Man won this race, before finally winning at the Cheltenham Festival in the Champion Chase. To summarise, a repeat of Silviniaco Conti’s Betfair Chase form would I believe be good enough to win the race. However, with the imponderables listed above, I will personally watch with fascination, but no financial interest.

Hard to argue with his position at the head of the market. Silviniaco Conti tops FSF’s, (Form & Speed Ratings) stays this trip, won the race last season and followed up with the Betfair Chase (Travelled kindly in first time cheek-pieces) this November. His four highest RPR’s have come on soft ground though he won the Betfred Bowl on good ground. It is worth noting; the second failed to stay, while the fourth and fifth were well below form. If the ground stays as it is on Christmas Eve, he might prove vulnerable to a rival with a turn of foot.

DYNASTE

167

Consistent chaser at this level and landed the Ryanair for connections in March. Despite excellent efforts at this distance, he has been found wanting at Grade One level three-times. Twice in the Betfair Chase, once in the Aintree Bowl. His run in this race last season is forgiven as he returned home with an injury. Wears first time cheek-pieces.

MENORAH

167

This fellow has bounced back to his best. A comfortable success in the Charlie Hall at Wetherby preceded an excellent effort in the Betfair Chase. On ground that would have not have helped, he arrived at the third from home full of run. However, he eventually had to concede to the greater staying power of the winner. Menorah has a good record at this course, holding every chance of going close if current ground underhoof remains as predicted.

AL FEROF

165

Repeated his previous 2013 Ascot success when returned there in November. Goes well fresh, handles right-handed tracks, and effective on likely ground underhoof. Bred out of a stout stayer, there are doubts for this trip on the dams’ side. Third in the race last year on heavy ground, he failed to see out the distance.

CUE CARD

164

Jumped for fun in the race last season until emptying out approaching the last fence. The ground will help this time round, though recent runs raise concerns. Despite protestations from connections of recent good work on the gallops, RPR’s indicate he needs to improve 10/11lb on 2014 form.

WISHFULL THINKING

161

Loves flat tracks and back to his best this season. However, as with several others, his stamina is unproven. Goes right-handed, handles current ground conditions.

CHAMPAGNE FEVER

158

Champagne Fever returned to action with a comfortable success over two and a half-miles in a Grade Two Chase at Clonmel. Whilst he is bred to stay, one wonders if his running style and natural exuberance, can be harnessed to see out the trip. In addition, his FSF shows the amount of improvement needed if the higher rated horses run to their best. Has won going right-handed, will handle the ground, and previously won on a flat track. (Leopardstown).

WONDERFUL CHARM

157

Profile suggests he is happiest on a flat track and effective right-handed. Yet to prove he truly stays three-miles; breeding suggests it may prove beyond him.

DOUBLE ROSS

154

Ran well at Wetherby when third to Menorah over three-miles. Either side of that he has failed to complete. Has won at right-handed Perth, though his best RPR’s have come at Cheltenham. Races enthusiastically and yet to prove conclusively he will stay three-miles in this grade.

JOHNS SPIRIT

152

Likeable horse that needs to prove he can stay three-miles and display a similar level of form away from Cheltenham. He has won right-handed, will enjoy current ground conditions, and has the ability to travel within himself off the pace. Sire has three-mile winners on his C.V, though stamina doubts for this distance arise via his dam.

FSF = Form and speed combined rating. Based on the horse’s best performance over the last twelve months. CUE CARD – FSF 161 2013 Ryanair Chase hero, Cue Card showed the benefit of a run at Exeter when scoring convincingly in the Betfair Chase. Allowed to dictate matters that day, he jumped well in the main, sealing the race with a fine jump at the last. It should be noted; he went round glued to the inside of the track while both second and third raced wider for much of the race. One wonders if his rivals will afford him an easy time up front this time round. In addition, his one run at Kempton Park came in this race last year when a disappointing fifth. SILVINIACO CONTI – FSF 159 Returned to action when third to Cue Card in the Betfair Chase. Conceded fitness to the winner that day and travelled well through the race. Reported to have progressed since that run and should be a major player. His top five FSF ratings have all come on left-handed tracks. MENORAH – FSF 158 Seasonal debut. Likes the course and looked to see out three-miles when second to First Lieutenant at Aintree in April. No horse has won this in the past twenty-five years on his seasonal reappearance. Won on heavy ground at this meeting in 2012. AL FEROF – FSF 154 Sustained an injury when taking the 2012 Paddy Power Gold Cup. Returning to action at Ascot in November, he jumped brilliantly to win easily from French Opera. The second upheld the form with an excellent run under top-weight in a handicap at Cheltenham. His breeding suggests three-miles will suit as he is by the same sire as Silviniaco Conti; while the sire of his dam, is also the sire of that horses dam. Travels well through his race and looks sure to be thereabouts. DYNASTE – FSF 154 Bolted up in the Feltham Chase on this card in 2012. Returned to action with a fine second to Cue Card in the Betfair Chase. Conceded fitness to the winner that day and travelled well before finding the winner too strong in the closing stages. With six runs under his saddle over fences, we may not have the best of him. LONG RUN – FSF 154 Dual winner of this race; though form this season has been well below his best. First time visor suggests he is perhaps, not concentrating on the job in hand, after numerous titanic battles both here and in France. CHAMPION COURT (IRE) – FSF 151 Unlucky not to win the Peterborough Chase with his saddle slipping on landing after the final fence. Had a hard race that day and is another not sure to see out the trip. RIVERSIDE THATRE – FSF 151 Returned to something approaching his best when rallying gamely to take the Peterborough Chase. Despite a second in this race in 2011, he does not appeal as one who is sure to see trip out at this level. In addition, his Peterborough Chase win came the hard way just fourteen days ago. MOUNT BENBULBEN (IRE) – FSF 145 Useful chaser on his day with six of his seven wins coming right-handed. Going well when unseating his rider at the fourth last in the JNwine.com Chase at Down Royal in November. Jumping errors have held back his progress over fences though clearly possesses a good engine.

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